THE 
I- 
YETERIN1RiM’5{ 
VOL. XXXVL 
No.421. 
JANUARY, 1863. 
- 
Fourtl 
les. 
No. 
Communications and Cases. 
OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS/^ 
By R. H. Dyer, XI.R.C.Y.S., Waterford. 
From time to time members of the veterinary profession 
have written on'this all-important subject, and it is to be re¬ 
gretted that up to the present time we are as much in the 
dark as we w’ere half a century ago respecting it, as each ex¬ 
aminer pursues his own course in the matter. 
I am not aware that I can do better than commence the year 
1863 with a few observations upon the manner in which 
horses are inspected, and the many interpretations placed 
upon the word “ sound’^ by the legal and veterinary pro¬ 
fessions, as well as by the public in general. There are 
so many definitions given as to the meaning of the word 
sound by those persons who have to sell, by those who in¬ 
tend purchasing, and by those whose province it is to give 
an opinion upon such cases, that we are often perplexed to 
know what is best to be done when called upon to act for 
our clients. Webster defines the word sound^^ to be entire, 
unbroken; not shaky, split or defective; undecayed, whole, 
perfect, or not defective; whole, impact; unmutilated, 
healthy; not diseased, not being in a morbid state; having 
all the organs complete and in perfect action.^^ 
Many of ourable law^yershave alsodefined the word ^^sound/’ 
In Oliphant, page 51, we read Chief-Justice Best, in the case 
of Best i;. Osborne held that sound’^ meant perfect. In 
Kidclell v. Brunard Xlr. Baron Parke said, The word 
* sound’ means what it expresses, namely, that the animal 
is sound and free from disease at the time he is warranted.” 
XXXVI. 1 
